WOW Don what a project. Granted, I did "skim" this thread ... 136 pages is a lot of reading, but every 5'th page makes it easier (and quicker). I see the 3K budget went out the window, but I still think it would be a worthwhile project for a newbie to start in on. I think the time factor is the only thing that might be "unrealistic" for the average newbie thinking of building his first rod.

I'm walking into my project with a 3-4 year timeline in mind. Working 5 days a week and the rest of life getting in the way means weekends and weeknights isn't every weekend and weeknight.